In this post I am sharing 25 Cheap Easy Meals on a Budget for feeding a family.
None of us are immune from going through tough times. These meals will help feed your family when on a tight budget.
I originally shared these budget friendly meal ideas on my Facebook page. It was so popular that I felt it should be shared here on the blog so it can be easily found by others.
What are some of your favorite meals on a tight budget?
Budget Meals
“Every adversity brings new experiences and new lessons.”
~ Lailah Gifty Akita
Cheap Meals on a Tight Budget
Tips for Food Shopping on a Tight Budget
Buy fresh local produce from farmer’s markets when in season. You’ll spend less and get more for your money. If possible, try growing your own vegetables if you have a yard and space for a garden.
Buy the whole chicken and cut it up yourself. Learning to cut up a chicken is easy and you’ll save money. If buying chicken pieces, drumsticks are far less expensive than chicken breasts.
Plan meals for the week and check sales before shopping. By preparing a simple weekly meal plan you’ll shop smarter and only buy what you need to avoid waste.
Save vegetable scraps and freeze them to make hearty homemade stocks. Homemade stocks can be used as the base for nutritious soups and for cooking.
Dried Beans, Rice and Potatoes can help stretch meals when feeding a family on a tight budget.
Try new foods. There are a lot of very inexpensive leafy greens and vegetables available that are very healthy and nutritious.
25 Cheap & Easy Meals to Feed a Family
25 recipes for home cooked meals to feed your family on a tight budget.
A delicious, creamy and savory sausage and rice casserole that is perfect as the main meal or as a side dish.
A delicious and comforting meal of skillet beef pot pie topped with fluffy biscuits.
Delicious homemade chicken, vegetable and noodle soup prepared in the slow cooker.
Fresh stewed tomatoes with pasta and fresh basil, a 10 minute meal.
Easy and delicious taco salad with Doritos and Catalina dressing. Perfect for potluck gatherings.
Simple and delicious taco boats can be made with beef, pork, chicken or seafood. This family favorite meal is perfect any day of the week, especially taco Tuesdays or Cinco de Mayo.
Old school creamed tuna on toast, a budget friendly meal. This popular comfort food meal has stood the test of time. It was especially favored when going through hard times and money was tight.
Simple and easy marinara sauce that is rich in tomato flavor, perfect as a topping for pasta or to use as a dipping sauce.
Easy to prepare hearty chicken stew
Classic old fashioned goulash is a simple comfort food meal made with ground beef, tomatoes and pasta
A delicious family meal of cheesy ground beef and pasta casserole
Family favorite beef stroganoff made with hamburger and served over noodles is a cheap hearty meal to feed a family.
Healthy and delicious oven roasted chicken drumsticks that leave the skin perfectly brown and crispy. A kid friendly favorite.
A delicious comfort food meal of stewed beef tips in gravy served over rice (or potatoes)
Classic stuffed peppers with a meat and rice stuffing baked with a rich tomato sauce
Classic creamed chipped beef and toast is a hearty gravy made with dried beef. It is often referred to as SOS. This vintage recipe may be served over toast, biscuits, potatoes and sometimes pasta.
Easy oven roasted chicken, flattened spatchcock style
Cajun Creole style dirty rice recipe is delicious as a side or the main meal.
A comforting old fashioned recipe of scalloped tomatoes, a baked tomato and bread pudding
Move over chicken, these pork tenders are delicious and kid friendly too. Serve with your favorite dipping sauce.
A super easy budget friendly family meal of BBQ boneless pork chops baked in the oven
Classic Southern style salmon patties, seasoned perfectly and delicious.
Tender pork medallions in an easy gravy served with rice
Easy chicken pot pie, a comforting meal
Quick and easy ground beef soup with vegetables and pasta
For more budget friendly meal ideas and recipes, check out our recipe index.
- Old Fashioned Amish Overnight Coleslaw Recipe
- The Best Easter Breakfast or Brunch Recipes for Two
- Classic Hamburger Steak Recipe with Country Pepper Gravy
- Easy Southern Style Flat Italian Green Beans Recipe
- Down Home Southern Large Lima Butter Beans Recipe
Meet Julia
Author of Julia's Simply Southern
About Julia
Hey Y'all! I'm Julia, the cook and writer behind the recipes here at Julia's Simply Southern. I began my website so that I could share easy to follow recipes that anyone can use to put a home cooked meal on the dinner table. Thanks so much for stopping by!
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Nikki Lee
Thursday 16th of January 2020
Love easy affordable meals especially during the weeknight Thanks for some great ideas!
Julia Jordan
Thursday 16th of January 2020
Thanks, Nikki!